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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 12 Hansard (5 December) . . Page.. 3626 ..

MR MOORE (continuing):

I hope that the nurses will work very quickly to accept this package, because what we have said to them is -

Mr Berry: Take it or leave it.

MR MOORE: We have said, "We will date it from the day we sign that agreement." Remember, we are in the middle of an enterprise bargaining period, so the rules are different. As Ms Duff pointed out to me, there is no protected action, because we are making an offer - in the middle of an enterprise bargaining agreement.

What this means is that the day they agree is the day we will date the pay rise from, provided that agreement is verified by the processes that follow, including the vote and the industrial relations commission and so on.

This is an opportunity that we will be able to provide for our nurses before Christmas if people are able to work quickly enough to do it. I have urged the CEOs of the three agencies - Health, Housing and Community Care, Calvary Hospital and the Canberra Hospital - to work quickly to do that. And certainly I know that the head of the nursing federation has also been talking to my office about ensuring that we can move quickly on this.

We have the right kind of reception by staff, and the right kind of boost for nurses' morale and conditions and, of course, their understanding that this government values them and values the importance of the way we conduct industrial relations.

MR SPEAKER: Do you have a supplementary question, Mr Hird?

MR HIRD: Mr Speaker, I was surprised to hear Mr Berry, by interjection, say, "Take it or leave it."

MR SPEAKER: No preamble please.

MR HIRD: It would appear -

MR SPEAKER: The question. No preamble - otherwise I will sit you down.

MR HIRD: Thank you, Mr Speaker. What has the opposition indicated in respect of support for this great package?

MR SPEAKER: I do not believe the minister can speak on behalf of the opposition.

Mr Moore: No, Mr Speaker, but it was a question of fact, and I can answer the facts.

Mr Corbell: On that point of order, Mr Speaker: it does not relate to the minister's area of responsibility and it is out of order.

MR SPEAKER: Unless the minister can identify an area, the question that was addressed was seeking an opinion of the minister, in my opinion, about the attitude of the opposition, and I cannot allow it.

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